Yorkshire Tile Doctor Explains How to Remove Soot Staining from a Stone Fireplace

Detailed below is the cleaning of a Limestone Fireplace surround and hearth at a property in Guiseley near Yeadon on the outskirts of Leeds.

Soot The fireplace had been installed approximately five years prior and was now badly stained with soot and smoke from the wood burner and this readily stood out against the pale Limestone. Having decided to do something about it the owner tried cleaning it but was unhappy with the result and decided to call in some professional help.

 

Happy to oblige I was able to provide a quote based on photographs which was accepted and a date scheduled for the renovation which would only take a few hours.

Cleaning a Limestone Tiled Fireplace

Work started by adding protection to the surrounding carpets and the metal work of the log burner. Then to get the Limestone clean I decanted a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean into a spray bottle and sprayed it on to the stone. The spray mixes the solution with air making it lighter and more able to stick to the vertical surface. You can also use Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel for this which is a similar gel-based product. After leaving it to soak in for ten minutes the solution was worked in, using handheld diamond blocks of increasing grits.

Sealing a Limestone Tiled Fireplace

Once dry, the fire surround and hearth were sealed with Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal sealer to help protect from more soot. This is an invisible sealer that works by soaking into the pores of the Limestone protecting it from within. This keeps dirt and contaminants on the surface where they can be easily cleaned away with a product such as Tile Doctor Stone Soap. It’s important to use a pH neutral product for the regular maintenance cleaning of sealed stone as stronger products will erode the sealer prematurely.

 Once complete the Fireplace looked like new again much to the delight of the homeowner who left the following 5 Star feedback for me: 

"Limestone Fireplace in the lounge is very badly stained with soot and smoke. Got in touch with Chris Allen and he did a splendid job bringing it back to its original state. Excellent craftsmanship and kept us informed of what was going on and how to care for the Fireplace in future. Very knowledgeable and lovely gent to have done the work."

Source: Fireplace Cleaning Service near Guiseley Yorkshire

How to Clean and Maintain a Tile Patio Table

 A tile patio table is easy to clean and keep, especially if you do regular maintenance work on it. You can keep your tile patio table in pristine condition for years to come by simply doing these easy cleaning and maintenance steps.

What You'll Need:

• Mild Detergent
• Oxygen Bleach
• Degreaser
• Acetone Stripper
• Natural Stone Cleaner (pH7 - Optional)
• Distilled Water
• Sanding Blocks
• Fine grit sandpaper or rotary drill and sandpaper pads
• Sealer
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Mask
• Sponge
• Scouring Pad
• Cotton Cloth

Step 1 - Know the Tiles' Surface

Determine first the type of tiles used in the patio table. Natural stones, specifically slates, require gentle cleaning, while ceramic tiles must not be cleaned with abrasive tools that might scratch the surface of the tiles.

Granite and marble require some mechanical polishing to remove deep-seated dirt and polish the surface to level the scratches with the surface area. After cleansing, slate tiles must be neutralized with a natural stone cleaner, with pH 7 acidity level, to prevent discoloration after cleansing and chemical treatment. The aim here is to know the type of tiles you have and select the best cleanser for it.

Step 2 - Wash and Rinse

Prepare the detergent solution (or natural stone cleanser) by mixing the detergent with water. Dip a sponge and wash the tile patio table in a circular motion. Use a scouring pad for natural stones to remove hardened dirt. Stick with a sponge when cleaning ceramic tiles. Rinse the surface with water.

Step 3 - Disinfect and Degrease

Prepare the oxygen bleach solution. Using 5 teaspoons to every gallon of water will suffice. Apply the solution onto the table with a sponge or cloth to disinfect the surface from germs, and remove living organisms such as molds or algae. Rinse with water.

A patio table is a great place to eat snacks, so degreasing is a step that must not be skipped, especially with tiles made from natural stones that absorb oil and grease quickly down to their pores.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it. Apply it onto the table using a sponge or a cloth. Allow it to work for five minutes and then scrub or just rinse it off.

Disinfect the tile once a month and degrease it once every two months. Less exposure to chemicals such as bleach and degreasers can lengthen the life of your tiles.

Step 4 - Sand, Apply Sealer or Re-paint the Legs

Every two or three years, sand and apply sealer on the surface. This is to protect your patio table from moisture, oil, and acidic substances from penetrating deeply into the tiles’ pores. Sanding or polishing is like bringing out the new "skin" from your tiles, and the sealer serves as protection for the newly polished surface.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com